Hi again Charlotte! :)

I wouldn't call taking medication for anxiety a... last resort. You could have a chemical imbalance, and the medication would put you back in balance.

The anti depressants your doctor is most likely suggesting is called an SSRI. These usually take 4 to 6 weeks to get the full benefits. So if you take one now, you won't feel anything bad from it... then you continue to take it, and over a couple short weeks, you may be feeling a whole lot better, who knows, worth a try, right? It could really help the symptoms you have, but you won't know unless you try taking it.

If your doctors keep suggesting it, and I know you posted about this before, why not follow what they say and just give it a try? You can post on here how you feel and we will support you through taking the medication.

By the way, I have been on anxiety medications every day for over 20 years. It helps me, not hurts me. It calms me so I can get through my busy, stressful days.

I feel the same. sometimes I think maybe I should just try them, but I've heard so many stories and even from doctors telling ppl they shouldn't be on them, and that they can just make things worse. definitely seems worthy of being wary. I've been seeing commercials about mushroom therapy, and how that's apparently as effective. if that becomes available, I'd probably try that before medication.

Hi Charlotte197...

I could have written your post. .I hear and feel everything you said.

You will get a different answer from everyone on this one. I tried several medications and they did dnot work for me but that doesn't mean that for you. I stayed far away from benzos because they are addictive and the dose for me had to be too high to handle my level of anxiety.

For what it's worth, I try to manage it myself and it's not easy.

When you said you didn't sleep, that really got to me because I don't either. It's all I can do not to jump out of bed in a state of panic once I get in. But, I tried ZzzQuil which is nothing more than liquid antihistamine and that does help me tremendously.

I listen to The Anxiety Guy a lot. He does youtube videos, podcasts,live FB sessions....he is very active and current. It's not old info that's just been sitting out there in cyberspace. If you google that, you'll find all his online info. He's been a great help to me but of course not a cure.

I know this didn't directly answer your question about what the medication is like but thought I'd give you some suggestions until you gather the facts and come to a decision about meds.

We're all in this together. Take care and I hope you find some relief!

Just wanted to add this... and just for information purposes... to read the label on Zzzquil as it contains 10% alcohol.

I believe the generic kind, such as the Target, Walmart kind, doesn't have alcohol in it. But check the label to be sure.

Antihistamine works for me to keep the sinuses clear and reduces the effect of anxiety in that the pressure releases faster. Which also makes it easier to sleep as the tensed muscles of the face and eyes relax naturally.

Medicine is a temporary help tool. It works to reduce the symptom the doctor is aware of. When it does not work, trial and error become a part of the process. Keeping a journal really does help to expose the problem areas not noted in the beginning.